The FJ's future collectible status comes from two factors, according to McKeel Hagerty, president of Hagerty Insurance.

First, and most obvious, is its eye-catching design. The second is the Toyota brand, which could become as interesting to collectors as it is now to ordinary car buyers.

"There's the notion that they're a winner," Hagerty said.

Toyota is expected to pass General Motors to become the biggest-selling auto maker in the world some time this year. The company has reached this milestone by producing efficient and competent but unexciting cars and trucks.

The FJ Cruiser stands in contrast to that strategy. It's a sign of Toyota's confidence that it created a vehicle that sacrifices practicality for the sake of an emotional design.

The FJ's off-road prowess will also help it in the future collector market, said Hagerty. Car collectors don't go for poseurs. A vehicle that really delivers on its promise -- whether that's rock-crawling or tire-shredding -- will always be worth more.